“Taxation through misrepresentation” best describes legislative Democrats’ blatant tax increase package. Presenting a $9.4 billion tax increase as being revenue neutral and taxes masquerading as fees to bypass the two-thirds vote requirement are dishonest. How can the Democrats in Sacramento do this and claim they are attempting to compromise?

This is not an end-run around Republicans. It’s an unconstitutional attempt to bully taxpayers. On Dec. 1, these same legislators took an oath of office to defend the California Constitution, not ignore it when convenient.

Maybe the Republicans should start throwing shoes at the Democrats. Then others might begin to appreciate their efforts to save the California economy as we taxpayers do.

Doug McNea

President Silicon Valley Taxpayers’ Association

A gas tax you’ll hardly notice

There are no painless solutions to the state’s budget problem, but one option would be almost painless while affording several corollary benefits. An “energy conservation encouragement fee” of 25 cents a gallon could generate $4.5 billion in state revenue, encourage drivers to conserve and extract at least some of the revenue out of oil companies and OPEC sheiks. It sounds like a gas tax because it is a gas tax. But, a 25-cent-a-gallon gas tax at this time would hardly be noticed by drivers who a few months ago were paying nearly $3 more per gallon than today. Because of market elasticity, some share of the 25 cents will come out of the hide of oil companies and OPEC. I think even Republicans would agree that the welfare of OPEC is not a No. 1 priority for California.

Dale L. Stansbury

Los Gatos

Courage, character shown in plea

Sandra Woodall’s guilty plea (Page 1A, Dec. 18) for driving while intoxicated took courage and character. No test was given to determine what her alcohol level was and there is no doubt that had the case gone to trial she would have been acquitted.

Paul Taylor

San Jose

Warren a bad choice for inauguration

There are more than 300 million people in the United States and Barack Obama picked the Rev. Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at the inauguration. What was Obama thinking? I like what the Rev. Warren does for AIDS and the poor but disapprove of his religion and social/cultural decisions, including the support of Proposition 8. I would laugh if many booed him while he gives the invocation.

Michael McWalters

Alviso

Investigate abuse of executive power

A recent bipartisan Senate report named Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other top officials directly responsible for sanctioning “alternative interrogation techniques” (otherwise known as torture). Rumors are that President George W. Bush will pardon Rumsfeld and others for these abuses. Pardoning officials would undermine any effort toward restoring our international reputation for justice, the rule of law and our commitment to human rights.

I feel strongly that after Obama is inaugurated, he should convene an independent commission to investigate abuses of executive power from the last eight years. Doing nothing allows impunity for war crimes and sets a precedent. The only way to heal, move forward and to prevent the United States from committing war crimes again is with an official investigation and prosecution.

Richard M. Doberstein

Fremont

Due process and the death penalty

Georgia lawmakers’ attempt to allow the death penalty without a unanimous jury decision misses the point of due process. Our current laws exist not only to punish the guilty but also to protect the innocent.

Nancy Oliveira

San Francisco

Extended foster care makes a difference

The real story in the Dec. 17 Mercury News is not that the secure juvenile detention ranches will seek state funding to renovate 84 beds instead of 108 beds, but it is the column by Assemblyman Jim Beall highlighting his new state legislation for foster children. Assembly Bill 12 will take advantage of federal funds and expand time youths can stay in foster care from age 18 to 21 beginning in October 2010. Two-thirds of the youths in the county’s juvenile detention facilities have been in foster care. Many who exit the juvenile justice system soon graduate to adult jail. Our goal at Bill Wilson Center is to build lasting connections between caring adults and young people so that they can be successful. Providing an additional three years of support for foster youths to nurture these relationships, find employment and housing, and continue their education is a long time in coming.

The California Highway Patrol has released a video of one of its helicopter crews performing a dramatic rescue of two British men who were stranded on the edge of a massive granite cliff overlooking Yosemite Valley as a major snow storm was nearing.

A researcher at a university in the U.K. who came up with a mathematical equation declaring the third Monday in January as "the most depressing day of the year." A mental health advocate has debunked that theory.